Swatting is another trend to sweep the nation. What exactly is swatting? Well, swatting is the act of falsely reporting an ongoing critical incident in order to trick an emergency response service into showing up.

Swatting incidents are happening more frequently. This is a dangerous form of pranking and has become a worldwide problem. Even celebrities aren’t safe from the swatting game. Tom Cruise, Justin Beiber, and Clint Eastwood are just a few celebrities that have fell victim to the swatting game.

Swatting Laws

New Jersey is a popular destination for the swatting game. Almost two dozen swatting incidents have occurred within the past year alone in New Jersey. How can authorities discourage this?

Currently, the penalty for getting caught swatting is 3 to 5 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. NJ assemblyman, Paul Moriarty, is proposing a bill that would increase the punishment for swatting. The prison sentence would be 5 to 10 years and/or a $150,000 fine. This proposal would lead to some unseen consequences for assemblyman Paul Moriarty.

Swatting Incidents

Many establishments have been targets of the swatting game. One of the largest institutions to be targeted was the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. A caller reported that 3 armed men were in the building. The hospital was placed on lockdown. After searching the entire facility, it was determined this was a swatting incident.

Freehold Raceway Mall has received two bomb threats within a six week period. Schools have been targeted. Even Pizza Hut has been a target. Also, normal citizens have become targets of the swatting game.

Fatal Swatting

Swatting can have possibly fatal consequences. In Sentinel, Oklahoma, 911 dispatchers received a call that Dallas Horton had placed a bomb in a preschool. Police officers forced their way into Dallas Horton’s home. He didn’t know it was the police that were breaking into his house. Horton, a gun owner, opened fire on the officers. Police Chief Louis Ross was shot several times but luckily survived because of his bulletproof vest.

Luckily for Dallas Horton, an investigation showed that the call was just another swatting game incident. A man who was angry at Horton later confessed to making the calls. This swatting game incident could have turned deadly. The officers entering the home could have been killed by Horton. Also, the police officers could have returned fire and killed Dallas Horton.

The swatting game can have dire consequences. What can be done to stop the swatting game? Let us know in the comments below.

Also In Episode 39

Marijuana is legal in Oregon starting in July. In the city of Pendleton, an ordinance can fine smokers up to $500 if odor complaints are received. Peter Walters wrote a letter to the East Oregonian requesting that a more offensive odor be banned… farts.

More off field violence news comes from the NFL. The Chicago Bears release DT Ray McDonald after he was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence and child endangerment charges. Atlanta Falcons linebacker, Prince Shembo, is being charged with felony animal cruelty after killing his ex-girlfriend’s dog.